Shirley A. Howard

Shirley Ann Howard, beloved wife, mother, daughter, gram, sister, aunt and friend passed away peacefully in her home surrounded by family on January 4, 2026 at the age of 83.

Shirley was born on January 26, 1942 in Sydney, Montana, to William Homer and Dorothy Ann Goodwin. Her family moved to Evans, Colorado, in 1959, and soon after, settled in Bennett in 1968. Bennett would remain her lifelong home base even though she moved to Aurora, Colorado, for a short time. She loved the small town feeling and never wanted anything more. Growing up, she was the Step in Mom for her siblings and cherished every moment watching her siblings grow and becoming good people.

Shirley met her husband, James, in 1958, and they were soon married in 1959 in beautiful Montana. Their love has stood the test of time and the loyalty they shared was unbreakable. They shared the love of children and living the best life they could. Watkins became their final home where they built a comfortable place with lots of open space for walks and peaceful nights. Shirley dedicated most of her career life to Aerospace with OEA Inc. managing the explosives division and space shuttle projects. She was loved and respected by all of her colleagues and met many interesting people from all over the world as well as learned of the foods from all of their cultures. She truly loved being a part of this ever so challenging industry and stayed with them until the end. She then moved on to the Auto Auction business and loved all of her coworkers as well as the exciting environment.

Family was everything to Shirley as she learned at a young age to care for siblings. She was the oldest of eleven siblings: Roger, Sharon, Bob, Quentin, Chopper, Scott, Gary, Lois and Donna. She was cherished by her entire family as the matriarch of the family, the caregiver, the one to turn to that was always there with a hug, a smile and the perfect words of encouragement. In 1960, she welcomed a daughter, Brenda, and then went on to add her two sons: Marty in 1961, and Guy in 1962. Her and James then adopted my sister Sandy and they became a loving family of 6. She and James shared a love of all things outside that provided many lake and camping trips with lots of boating and fishing. She also had an extraordinary talent for sewing and made many of the kid’s clothing as well as blankets and pillows and barbie doll clothes. She loved planting flowers in the front yard for everyone to see and loved her front porch time with the grandchildren. She loved family time more than anything and cherished her shopping sprees with her girls and doing art work and board games with the grandsons. She is so loved and adored by her family.

Shirley was the Mrs. Clause to Santa for every joyous family Christmas and loved this as it was always one of her brothers in the Santa suit so they had lots of fun! She has collected angels, pins and crosses throughout her life and later took on crocheting blankets and scarves for everyone.

Her love for life, family, children, animals and Jesus Christ was beyond comparable. Her love for her beloved husband, James shines bright still today after 67 years. He was always the light of her life and the love in her heart. Shirley was the family rock, the caregiver, the foundation of the Goodwin and the Howard family and a safe place for all. She leaves behind a sincere and unwavering legacy rooted in love, patience and grace and will be forever deeply missed by all.

She is survived by her husband, James Howard; children, Brenda, Marty and Guy; grandchildren: Jamie, Lindsay, Brittany, Cody and Heidi; great grandchildren: Lauren, Tristan, Karsten, Kayne, Kaveyan, Tyler, Aspen, Michelle, Bryonna, Abigail and Willow; as well as three great great grandchildren: John, Joseph and Layla. She was preceded in death by her parents, William and Dorothy Goodwin; brothers: Roger, Bob, Chopper; and sisters: Sharon and Pat; daughter, Sandra Kay and granddaughter, Tonya.

Shirley’s favorite quotes were: “Don't worry, be happy.” or “Nice day, probably rain.” Sitting and holding hands with her husband was her favorite past time.

Memorial contributions can be made to Rocky Mountain Cancer Center by making donations online to:

Ray of Hope Cancer Foundation